Mario's Transformations: A Timeline of the Most Famous Metamorphoses

796 mots | Temps de lecture : 3 minute(s)

For over 35 years , Mario hasn't just been a bouncing plumber: he's a video game chameleon . Thanks to a multitude of transformations —costumes, items, powers—he's adapted his gameplay to a wide variety of worlds. From the Fire Flower to the Super Crown , from the cape to the elephant form, each generation of Nintendo consoles has brought its share of innovations. Here's a complete timeline of his most notable transformations.

1985 – Super Mario Bros. (NES)

• Super Mushroom : Makes Mario grow, allows him to take a hit
• Fire Flower : Allows Mario to throw flaming projectiles

Two iconic transformations from the first opus, laying the foundations for evolving gameplay through objects.

1988 – Super Mario Bros. 3

• Raccoon Costume : Glides and attacks with tail
• Tanuki Costume : Adds the invincible statue ability
• Frog Costume : Swims significantly better
• Brother Hammer Costume : Throws hammers

First game to offer a wide variety of costumes linked to specific mechanics.

1990 – Super Mario World

• Cape (Feather) : Allows you to fly and glide with precision

The cape quickly became a cult classic , offering unprecedented vertical freedom.

1996 – Super Mario 64

• Metal Cap : Invincibility, increased weight, underwater walking
• Winged Cap : Allows you to fly after a triple jump or cannon shot

Transformations completely change Mario's physics in an open world.

2006 – New Super Mario Bros.

• Mega Mushroom : Giant Mario, destroys everything
• Mini Mushroom : Tiny Mario, jumps higher, runs on water

The gameplay plays on scales , opening up new possibilities.

2007 – Super Mario Galaxy

• Bee Mario : Flies briefly, clings
• Boo Mario : Walks through walls, floats
• Spring Mario : Jumps very high, difficult to control
• Fire Mario (temporary)

The transformations here embrace gravity and the planets.

2009 – New Super Mario Bros. Wii

• Mario Penguin : Slide, swim, shoot ice balls
• Ice Flower : Freezes enemies and obstacles

Elemental powers specialize according to biomes.

2010 – Super Mario Galaxy 2

• Cloud Mario : Creates clouds to move through the air
• Mario Roche : Destructive Stone Ball

The new shapes strengthen the puzzle link between transformation and level design.

2012 – New Super Mario Bros. U

• Flying Squirrel Mario : hovers, clings to walls

Inspired by the cape and the raccoon: a perfect costume for verticality.

2013 – Super Mario 3D World

• Mario Cat : climbs, scratches, runs on all fours

Instantly cult transformation for its smooth handling.

2015 – Super Mario Maker

• Mystery Mushroom : 8-bit Mario transforms into various Nintendo heroes

Purely cosmetic transformation but loved for the fan service.

2017 – Super Mario Odyssey

Mario no longer uses fixed costumes; thanks to Cappy , he captures enemies and objects:

• T-Rex, Goomba, Bullet Bill, electricity, frog, etc.

Each capture changes the gameplay in radical and creative ways.

2023 – Super Mario Bros. Wonder

• Elephant Fruit : Massive Mario, powerful trunk, stores water
• Bubble Flower : Traps enemies in bouncing bubbles
• Flower Drill : allows you to dig into floors and ceilings

Recent transformations with experimental and humorous gameplay.

The most iconic transformations

• Fire Mario – the classic icon
• Mario Tanuki – synonymous with the NES era
• Mario Capé – a strong memory of the SNES
• Mario Cat – Adored Vertical Maneuverability
• Mario Elephant – a recent phenomenon that has already become a cult classic
• Cloud Mario – speedrunner favorite

Conclusion

Mario's transformations are more than just power-ups: they reflect Nintendo's boundless imagination . Generation after generation, they reinvent the way we approach levels, enemies, and exploration. From hero to acrobat , Mario can become a cat , a bee , or an elephant at will: a veritable open-air museum of gameplay .